Seriously, how can Mitt ROBBED ME really think he can NOT campaign and win a presidency?
Anyway, here:
President Barack Obama leads Mitt Romney in Colorado, Iowa and Wisconsin, reaching the key 50 percent support threshold in all three battlegrounds, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist polls of these states.
In both Colorado and Wisconsin, Obama is ahead by 5 points among likely voters (including those learning toward a candidate), 50 percent to 45 percent.
And in Iowa, the president’s edge over Romney is 8 points, 50 percent to 42 percent.
I have to agree with radio lefty, Norman Goldman, how can Romney expect to win this and he is not campaigning?
This is one vague and weird presidential campaign I have ever witnessed. Romney actually believe that he can just carpet bomb these swing states, that daily DON'T look swing and become president on nothing? Well, we are witnessing the voters decision become HARD towards Romney, thanks to Romney doing himself in. While, his campaign is saying the public want more MITT!!! Seriously, after all your own bullshit has blown in the wind for all of us to smell it? Good Luck.
Next stop, the Republicans will run to the mattresses to save their own asses and say the hell with Mitt Romney.
A plurality of likely voters view Romney in a negative light in all three states. In Colorado, it’s 43 percent favorable to 50 percent unfavorable; in Iowa, it’s 42 percent to 50 percent; and in Wisconsin, it’s 43 percent to 46 percent.
By contrast, out of last week’s polls in Florida, Ohio and Virginia, just one of them – Ohio – found Romney’s favorable/unfavorable rating under water.
Lastly, Chuck Todd from NBC/MSNBC blasted Mitt Romney for not even CAMPAIGNING!! Seriously, this man thought he could run a ONE NOTE campaign, deliver no specifics and folks will flock to him. I think he is toast, but that does not mean we sit on our laurels and don't get this vote out. We double down and get every vote out!!
And the bonus, from Lawrence O'Donnell, The Last Word from last night:
All about Mitt and Ann Romney LYING. And you think you can win the people's vote by constantly lying? Good Luck and soon GOOD RIDDANCE.
Chuck Grassley, the Senator of Iowa who repeated the LIES of "death panels will kill Grandma", now is quitting and won't vote for any health care legislation.
Big Whoop.
Everyone but the White House knew what was going on for the longest. Thankfully, the White House has taken its head out of the clouds and are now looking at this realistically.
Grassley was a fraud on every level. He is a prime example of what will continue to happen in Washington, D.C., as long as Barack Obama is Commander in Chief. Any bipartianship going forward is a fantasy and I really hope the White House realizes that.
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said he "resents" some of the things the administration and President Obama said and did during the August recess. In particular, Grassley took umbrage with President Obama attaching him to the death panel controversy. He said it was something he “took very personally.”
"And [I] kind of resent, that when I've been very candid with the President of the United States face to face... I leveled with him, I leveled with him," Grassley said of his conversations with President Obama. "And then we're accused by [David] Axelrod of making political things and maybe not being serious in our negotiations."
Yes, he leveled with the President by stabbing him repeatedly in the back. Going forward, forget Grassley for anything; he can not be trusted, period. Actions speak louder than words. Always have, always will.
I agree with Muzikal203, give it up already, President Obama.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who was kindly touted by President Barack Obama as one who is working at bi-partisianship for health care, at the New Hampshire town hall meeting yesterday, provided a 360 degree statement today.
Forget about these Republicans. I mean the ones who are not honest brokers and that is MOST OF THEM.
Senator Chuck Grassley backing up the "Death Panel" rumor, which has been debunked totally.
Government program to pull the plug on Grandma. Straight up talking points.
President Obama, we have watched you try to build consensus, but how can you be an honest broker when the other man or woman clearly IS NOT.
Time to cut them loose and let it go. This is starting to look ridiculous. We all know that the Republican Party, as a whole, don't gave a damn about any health care reform. But the American public DOES.
Let it go.
In closing, Arianna Huffington sums it up TOTALLY. I hope you are LISTENING, President Obama.
To be honest, what Hillary voter would fall for Sarah Palin? This woman, first off is not Hillary. Second, her postitions are a 180 to Hillary. Third, anyone voting for Palin it is personal about Barack Obama.
But Palin still is wanting the Clinton voters, stating Obama should have put her on the ticket.
After watching Palin last night on ABC, my conclusions were sealed. She is nothing. I mean, absolutely nothing.
The questions on foreign policy was startling. The look on Charlie Gibson's face and he was being nice, told the story. The woman is an empty pantsuit. See for yourself, here:
Sorry, folks, Sarah Palin was clearly scripted and tried to dance around the "Bush Doctrine" questions, indicated we could go to war with Russia, a Bush/Cheney hardliner and is just clueless. First off, Senator Claire McCaskill was frank today. Want to go to war with Russia? Draft time. And Chris Matthews, from Hardball nails it about Palin:
This is a woman who is a heartbeat away from the presidency, with a presidential candidate who is 72 years old and had 4 bouts of cancer. Do we really want her in charge? As Matt Damon said, "She will have the nuke codes." Do we? After last night, she is incredibly frightening, a Bush/Cheney in a skirt, and is NOT HILLARY CLINTON.
Oh, since Charles Gibson did ask the questions, her next spot is Sean Hannity, Fox News, a non-journalist hack who will not ask the questions.
Senator John McCain bounded onto the set of “The View” this morning, perhaps expecting a fun session chatting with the ladies about the softer side of his presidential campaign.
But once he settled onto the couch, he got a pretty good grilling — on earmarks, on his erstwhile image as a “maverick” and, of course, about his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin. He also defended his ads against Senator Barack Obama, saying “they are not lies,” and his wife, Cindy, who appeared later, declined to answer a question about how many houses the McCains own.
Mr. McCain also had some kind words for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who may have been the first choice for president among many viewers of “The View.” The show is watched by 3.4 million people, according to Nielsen, 78 percent of whom are women and whose median age is 56 years old.
A visit to “The View” is becoming a rite of passage for candidates as they try to shore up their appeal among women (Mr. McCain also taped a segment today for the Rachael Ray show.)
Anyway, Ms. Walters led off the questioning of Mr. McCain, and right away set the tone for the rest of the interview.
She first asked Mr. McCain to defend his earlier statement that Ms. Palin was “the greatest vice presidential candidate in the history of the United States.” Was he perhaps overlooking John Adams or George H.W. Bush? continue
"Just ask the machinists in Pennsylvania who build Harley-Davidsons," Obama said of McCain's record. "Because John McCain didn’t just oppose the requirement that the government buy American-made motorcycles, he called Buy American provisions 'disgraceful.' Just ask the workers across this country who have seen their jobs outsourced. The very companies that shipped their jobs overseas have been rewarded with billions of dollars in tax breaks that John McCain supports and plans to continue.
"So, when American workers hear John McCain talking about putting 'Country First,'" Obama said, "it’s fair to ask –- which country?"
Research 2000 National Poll; Democracy Corps National Poll; Gallup/USA Today National Poll; PPP North Carolina Poll; PPP Michigan Poll; CNN/Opinion Research National Poll; Rasmussen Nebraska and Mississippi Poll; Quinnipiac Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania Poll; Strategic Vision Washington, Pennsylvania Poll; PPIC California Poll; Research 2000/Daily Kos Idaho Poll; Rasmussen Montana Poll; Rasmussen Kentucky Poll; Rasmussen Texas Poll; Pew National Poll; Research 2000 Kentucky Poll; Research 2000 North Carolina Poll; Survey USA Missouri Poll
"The motor behind his operation now is Steve Schmidt, the shaven-headed strategist who earned his bones running Karl Rove's war room in 2004, Frenchifying and de-war-heroizing John Kerry. What Schmidt and his associates have apparently concluded is that McCain's weaknesses -- on the election's most salient issues and as a candidate -- are so pronounced and Obama's vulnerabilities so glaring that the low road is their guy's best, and maybe only, route to the White House. They've concluded, in other words, that even if McCain may not be able to win the election in any affirmative sense, he might still wind up behind the big desk if he and his people can strip the bark off Obama with sufficiently vicious force."
Yep, that sums it up.
McCain gained relevancy this week by running negative television and web ads, mostly mocking and attacking Barack Obama.
But what about John McCain? What about the maverick? What does he stand for? What does he not stand for?
That is the question. It is up to the Obama Campaign to not get in the mud with McCain, but go after him, hard and heavy with fact. And if you ask, icebergslim, every opening should be:
If McCain is such a "maverick", why has he voted over 95% with George W. Bush?
In each ad, define EXACTLY how McCain voted with George W. Bush.
As I expressed to my online comrades:
we don't have to go dirty, just be civil and hard hitting with dirty facts, that's all.
One of the saddest parts about Mccain's new sleaze strategy by John Aravosis; How Shitty Was McCain? by Andrew Sullivan; Mel Martinez: Race Card Not Played by Marc Ambinder; Which candidate ran an ad calling himself "the president"? by daveweigel; Gotcha! Gallup Commits "Polling Malpractice" Startling New Info/Controversy on Poll by Excelscior1; Obama in MO: SLAPS McCain on Economy (Finally) by dansac; John McCain: Liar by Todd Beeton; McCain's LIES about his (rather dismal) Civil Rights Record by Muzikal203; Sole Black Reporter Booted from McCain Event by thinkbridge; I just got back from the Obama town hall in St. Petersburg by smash artist; Some thoughts on the race card by zenbowl; Women in the military more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire in Iraq. by LaKathie; The Great White Hope by billmon; The DNC/Obama $20 million Latino effort by kos; Andrea Mitchell: McCain's Ad Is "Literally Untrue" by BarbinMD; ExxonMobil is our faithful servant by Jerome a Paris; We Are The War Room We Have Been Waiting For Al G for The Field
Cafferty: McSame is a Jealous Pri*k -- (Plus Amazing Photos and Tasty Snacks) by Al Rodgers; Wanna See Something Way Cool? Click Thru by farmbo; Obama, Yes to 3 Debates...Florida Pictures... by icebergslim; Obama Missouri Pictures by icebergslim; Obama Democratic Caucus Meeting in Washington, DC Pictures by icebergslim; Obama's Economic Meeting Pictures by icebergslim
icebergslim’s last word: organize
While the McCain Campaign is attempting to remain relevant in its negativity, let’s not lose focus on organizing in all 50 States.
The best thing that came of the primary battle was Obama’s chance to visit all the mainland states. He was able to organize on the ground and get things moving.
There is much mumble in the McCain Camp of the Obama advantage in doing so. While Obama has boots on the ground now, organizing, voter registration, canvassing, offices opened everywhere; McCain, not so much.
McCain so far is running a more traditional campaign, targeting perennial tossup states such as Florida and Ohio, sending smaller staffs to those states than Obama, but spending more on television ads. His campaign manager, Rick Davis, said recently that his staff will eventually increase to about 450. By earlier this month, it had opened 11 regional offices in key states and another 84 offices across the country in a joint effort with the Republican National Committee.
Through the McCain attempt of confusing and muddying up the waters, the real deal is the ground game. We must remember, “We have seen and been through this show”. While the Clinton Campaign thought the battle would be in the air, the reality was that the battle was on the ground. This is what Obama knows how and what to do, and he did it well in the primary. Now all this is a massive push for the general election.
"Between the Obama staff and the Democratic Party staff there will be several thousand" paid operatives on the ground deployed across the country, deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand said in an interview. "I don't want to get too specific; it gives away strategy."
...Obama and the Democratic Party have about 200 paid staffers working in Florida and more on the way, 90 in Michigan with plans to expand to 200 by August, at least 200 each eventually in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and 50 in Missouri with plans to expand to 150, according to published reports and interviews with Obama campaign officials. Hildebrand said state organizations should be at full strength by the end of August.
Now you get the understanding of going negative, now and early, for the McCain Campaign. While much hand wringing is going on, the focus must remain on organization. To be frank, the McCain Campaign must be worried, especially with the lack of enthusiasm gap for its candidate. As much disdain us have for these negative and frivolous ads, these ads are really targeted to their own base, to get them excited. Will it work? The jury is out on that one, you cannot continue to be negative and don’t offer folks the reason to pull the lever for you. That is just common sense.
So, let’s continue on with our organizing. One thing we have learned is that the Obama Campaign knows how to do it.
If you need information on volunteering, click here. If you need information on conducting or participating in a voter registration drive, read kath25’s detailed diary with all the information you need, here. And if you want to donate, click here.
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weekly slideshow roundup....
well we are in the seaweeds early in this campaign and it stinks. one good thing i come away with is that obama must be making major inroads for mccain to be proud of touting britney and paris. sigh. anyway, keep positive, keep the message straight and keep the peace....focus on obama and not the drama....
Now the McCain Campaign is whining, "Obama is Playing the Race Card"
Raising a politically-explosive issue for the first time this election, Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) campaign accused Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) this morning of invoking the specter of race in order to bolster his electoral prospects.
The charge came in reaction to comments the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee had made at three separate stops in Missouri Wednesday, where Obama suggested Republicans were trying to scare voters away from him.
"So nobody really thinks that Bush or McCain have a real answer for the challenges we face, so what they're going to try to do is make you scared of me," he told voters in Springfield. "You know, he's not patriotic enough. He's got a funny name. You know, he doesn't look like all those other Presidents on those dollar bills, you know. He's risky. That's essentially the argument they're making." continue
Watch the Hardball clip below. Michelle Bernard and Bob Shrum sums it up perfectly. This race question is the question that the McCain, Bush and Company wanted to open. Obama makes fun of how the Republicans and McCain want to make him scary to Americans, made fun that he is not like the other presidents on the one and five dollar bill.
The McCain Campaign pounced.
My take is this, by opening this door the dark path is what the Republicans will go down. Also, to open this particular door so early, means they are concerned about their chances in November and that McCain can not hold his own on the issues because he is tied, deeply to the Bush Brand.
What will happen is one of the two, the public will turn racism's ugly head and ignore it, or it will drive a wedge in this country for many decades to come.
I believe that this country is ready to turn the page for good. Racism is this nation's ugly head and it does need to be buried for good. Is electing Obama doing this? No, but it is a symbolism of change in this country. Change that any person or gender can become the next President of the United States. Change that the United States of America is ready to move forward and not backwards.
Lastly, John McCain is not calling the shots in own campaign and thus he has been relegated to going down a very dangerous path here, one I did not expect him to take. I don't believe he is very proud of these ads, or making race an issue. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) even said that McCain can not be proud of his ads or how his campaign is being run. She phoned into MSNBC and stated the following:
“Some Bush-Rove guys have gotten in the back room and hijacked his campaign,” McCaskill asserted on MSNBC. “And they think that they can actually win the White House right now in America by doing nothing but trying to put down Barack Obama? I think they are really underestimating the American people.”
What will John McCain do for this country? What are his plans? So, far he seems consumed with Barack Obama and what he will do. What kind of leadership is that? Is McCain even a leader? But more importantly, do we want this back in the White House?
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Yes, the LOW ROAD EXPRESS
The Obama Campaign launched a new website, aptly titled, "LowRoadExpress.com". A factchecker website for all the ridiculous B.S. that is being trashed around right now. When in doubt, find it out.
The Obama campaign already has a page on its Web site dedicated to debunking attacks from viral e-mails and other sources called, “Fight The Smears.” Plouffe clarified that this new site would be solely used to “correct mistruths” coming directly from the McCain campaign.
Aides also emphasized that even some Republicans are questioning McCain’s tone and tactics. Susan Eisenhower, president of the Eisenhower Group (and Ike’s granddaughter), added, “These kind of comments and innuendos have no place in a presidential campaign of this importance.”
On the ‘Celeb’ ad, Plouffe slammed the McCain campaign for its negative turn and called McCain’s latest ad “frivolous,” while claiming that he has abandoned issues for rhetoric.
"What he’s offering voters is increasingly harsh character attacks … I think voters did expect different from John McCain,” Plouffe said. He also suggested McCain’s negative strategy would harm his image among independents.
"The road he’s on right now, he’s going to quickly erode that political capital, which is very hard capital to build up,” Plouffe said. “He seems to sink to new lows everyday."
al gore's endorsement for barack obama, detroit, michigan
"When a disaster strikes — a Katrina, a shooting, or a six-alarm blaze — its city hall we lean on, its city hall we call first, and city hall we depend on to get us through tough times. Because whether its a small town or a big city, the government that people count on most is the one thats closest to the people." — Democratic Sen. Barack Obama
"I know that Sen. McCain felt as strongly as I did," Obama said, "feeling enormous sympathy for the victims of the recent flooding. I'm sure they appreciated the sentiment, but they probably would have appreciated it even more if Sen. McCain hadn't opposed legislation to fund levees and flood control programs, which he considers pork."
This is politics folks. Pure and simple. McCain voted against this bill that would have sent federal dollars for restoration of dams and levees. Maybe, McCain forgot that he did not vote to fund this bill, but showed up for the photo-op anyway.
The bill funded hundreds of projects — such as dams, sewage plants and beach restoration — that are important to local communities and their representatives. It also included money for the hurricane-hit Gulf Coast and for Florida Everglades restoration efforts.
I don't know about you, but I am tired of this government not spending the appropriate money for something called, maintenance and repair on the infrastructure of this country. Ask these folks flooded out how they feel about it, or the folks in Minnesota when a bridge just up and collasped on them, or Katrina victims STILL trying to get their lives back in order.
This country sure knows how to send money to Iraq in a snap, but for just the ordinary things like maintenance and repair, the Bush Administration will call it pork barrel spending in a minute, with McCain going right along with Bush.
Senator Barack Obama is drawing up plans for extensive advertising and voter-turnout drives across the nation, hoping to capitalize on his expected fund-raising advantage over Senator John McCain to force Republicans to compete in states they have not had to defend in decades.
With his decision to give up public financing and the spending limits that go with it, Mr. Obama has added several seasoned hands to his advertising team, a harbinger of a multifaceted television campaign that people inside and outside Obama headquarters said would grow well beyond its already large presence in 18 states.
Future commercials could run on big national showcases like the Olympics in August and smaller cable networks like MTV and Black Entertainment Television that appeal to specific demographic and interest groups.
He is also dispatching paid staff members to all states, an unusual move by the standards of modern presidential campaigns where the fight is often contained to contested territories. New York Times
Amtrak Has Too Few Usable Train Cars Left by bink; What's for Dinner: the Great Barbecue Edition by Asinus Asinum Fricat; This is a bus... by JeffLieber; What conservative bloggers taught me about flood relief by desmoinesdem; Obama To Opt Out Of Public Financing by slinkerwink; WaPo: General Accuses WH of War Crimes by abundance; How to Transform the US From a Debt to an Equity Economy by bonddad; Obama Responds to McCain Campaign Charge that he has "A September 10th Mindset" by TomP; "McCain Democrat" leader outed as racist by kat68; I got your back Barack! by Deoliver47; You Are Falling for the Right Wing's Trap. by kath25
This decision is important on many levels. First, there will be grumbling from the other side of flip/flopping and Barack did, but for a good cause, to run a campaign independent of the shackles on your feet with public financing. I don’t expect this to stick because most of the general public is not interested in how campaigns are financed. They just don’t care. Maybe in another year or years to come, but not this year with the economy crumbling and gas prices looking at folks to hit five dollars a gallon, soon, it is a non-issue.
But what this does mean? It means that not only is Barack independent, but the Democratic Party, as a whole, is independent. We are free to raise the amount of money needed to fund all 50 states through November, along with helping to raise money for all the congressional and senate races riding this independent wave, as well.
I hope you fully understand what is at stake here. While some are complaining about FISA, we need to raise massive amounts of money for Barack, the DNC Convention, and the whole Democratic Party. This burden is not only on Barack, but all of us.
Along with this, Barack and Michelle Obama must fundraise, Barack has to go overseas, Barack has to go to Iraq and Afghanistan, Barack has to run the Democratic Convention, Barack has to complete a platform, all in about two months. One word, "Wow."
A good friend told me today that she did not like that Barack only raised 22M for May, for her a huge drop off. That is worrisome to her. I told her it did not bother me, but now I have to sit back and look at all I just wrote above and completely state, “this is a lot of stuff to complete on a promise of ordinary voters to fund.” It is.
So, while you are angry, you need to sit back and look at what we need to do and complete as a party. I will be the first to state that having the primary go to the end did not help us with timing. Many just became tired of it and disconnected, well it is time to reconnect and that starts with donating to the Obama for America Campaign.
See, I understand the current beef about FISA, warranted and duly noted, but the large picture is too big and the stakes too high to stop now. There are many reading this that have a son or daughter or loved one in Iraq; somebody has lost their job; a family is wondering how to save their home; someone may not have gas money to go to work tomorrow; many are skimping on food because of costs; some teenager is crying right now because they cannot go to college, even though they had good grades; folks got the credit card companies calling constantly because they can’t afford the payments and this list is endless. Yes, endless because I know some people who are affected on this list. So, see FISA right now is not an issue, but change and new direction in this country is.
We need to stand together, not apart now. I am hoping this bill is shoved until after November when it can be readdressed, but no matter what happens we need to move forward, together.
Folks, we have a laundry list of items to accomplish and time is not on our side.
It starts here. Donate to Obama for America. Because if we don’t get him elected in November and increase Democrats in congress, there will be more than whining for the next four years, but some serious weeping as well.
well another week has flown by and michelle obama was the star, no doubt. i don't know why the press is giving her a bum rap, but the woman is not only accomplished and lovely but puts her family first. al rodgers got me hooked on the slideshows, but he is numero uno in that department. a true, inspiration. as the summer is coming along, many of us are busy with families, getting ready for vacations, or just coping with LIFE. remember, we came from absolutely nothing and look where we are. keep involved, focus, donate and remember to focus on obama and not the drama...
Senator Barack Obama will be joined by his one-time rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, on the campaign trail on Friday June 27, his campaign announced.
A spokesman for Mr. Obama said more details would be announced soon.
The two Democrats had already agreed to appear together at a fund-raiser on June 26 at Washington’s Mayflower Hotel.
After a bruising primary fight, Mrs. Clinton suspended her campaign and endorsed Mr. Obama earlier this month, asking her supporters to join her “in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me.”
On a private conference call moments ago, Hillary urged her top fundraisers in no uncertain terms to throw their weight behind Barack Obama, and directly asked them in surprisingly candid terms to give or raise money to help her pay off her campaign's debt.
At the same time, in a move that took some participants on the call by surprise, she also clarified that she was not asking their help in paying off her personal loans to the campaign.
you decide, this is the ad for senator norm coleman (r-mn) and his absent wife, laurie
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Barack Obama poised to rake in about 500M for White House bid
Sen. Barack Obama's decision to forgo public financing for his presidential campaign clears the way for him to outspend Sen. John McCain by 3-to-1 or substantially more in the general election, a financial edge that dramatically rewrites the playbooks for both candidates.
With the possibility of spending perhaps $500 million just in the final two months of the campaign, Obama will be the first major-party candidate to enjoy a spending edge in the general election in more than 30 years. The comparison with the consistently cash-strapped McCain campaign could hardly be more stark.
John McCain has decided, or was forced, to accept public funding which is about 80M. Let us be clear, Barack Obama did say he would accept public funding if the Republican opponent did. Now, this was prior to Obama becoming a juggernaut on the internet. Will he have a hard time on this decision and label a flip-flopper? Yes. But this will be a short-term affect in my view and the truth is that the public is just not engaged about campaign financing, which we should be.
But Mr. Obama’s decision to opt out of public financing — along with the ability of the Internet to let candidates raise large sums of money from small donors — may do more to shatter the system than all of the loopholes it has spawned.
As structured, each presidential candidate stands to receive $84 million in public money. This money is gained from the $3 check-off on federal taxpayer returns, which the major party candidates can use to run a general presidential campaign from the end of each party’s convention to the November election.
Each political party can also raise and spend money to support its candidate. Donors can give up to $28,500 to party committees, as well as often-unlimited amounts to 527s, nonprofits and a bevy of other committees that exist outside the formal party structure, to influence the election.
Yet even candidates with as many wealthy connections as George W. Bush or who are as adept at fund-raising as Bill Clinton took public money for their general presidential campaigns. Senator John McCain, the presumed Republican nominee, has said he would remain committed to the public finance system, but he may well be the last major candidate to do so.
My take, Obama did the right thing. Many of us, many first time donors became engaged in the Obama for America Campaign. Many of us volunteered, donated money reguarly, became advocates for the Obama for America Campaign.
It is only fair that Barack Obama opt out of public fianancing and let us, his small donor base fund and fuel this campaign. Let me be clear again, he has already raised over 272M just for the primaries and he depended on us. We know the mountain before us and we fully understand that from the degrading Fox News to the forthcoming 527 groups that negative ads are coming. These ads will not only attack Obama but the Obama Family. Accepting public financing, at this point, is only cutting the hand that feed you.
Barack Obama will shatter records in raising money to march to the White House and we are the ones who will put him there.
In the end, the documentation for this campaign from primary to the end of the general election will be the campaign model for many to use for the future.
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Yesterday, I wrote about the embarrassment of the Obama Campaign to ask two young Muslim women in their garb to not stand behind the stage that Obama would grace with former Vice President Al Gore. Basically, we don't want you in the television shot. That is what that was about.
At the rally for Senator Obama in Detroit on Monday, June 16, two volunteers denied us seating behind the stage the Senator would soon take. The volunteers informed us that we were not allowed to sit in that area due to the hijab, the headscarf that each of us was wearing.
This incident was unfortunate and extremely disappointing. Senator Obama has called us each to personally convey his deepest apologies and acknowledge that this was inexcusable. We both immensely appreciate the Senator's phone call and his commitment to remedy this issue. We commend him for displaying qualities befitting an effective President. We acknowledge that this injustice has been taken seriously and that Senator Obama does not tolerate discrimination against Arabs, Muslims or any community. We are assured that he and his staff are committed to upholding the principles of justice for all peoples and bringing about change we can believe in. The infringement on our rights occurred and has been addressed; now we are ready to move forward. We will continue to support Senator Obama in his campaign and wish him the best as the race continues.
and Obama's statement:
I reached out to Ms. Aref and Ms. Abdelfadeel this afternoon. I spoke with Ms. Abdelfadeel, and expressed my deepest apologies for the incident that occurred with volunteers at the event in Detroit. The actions of these volunteers were unacceptable and in no way reflect any policy of my campaign. I take deepest offense to and will continue to fight against discrimination against people of any religious group or background. Our campaign is about bringing people together, and I'm grateful that Ms. Abdelfadeel accepted our apology and I hope Ms. Aref and any who were offended accept my apology as well.
Barack Obama will be the President of the United States for all of us, not some of us.
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Georgia, it is all tied up there. No wonder the Obama Campaign has put this state on the map for a battleground state. Poll is here.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is urging Jewish voters to denounce the online whisper campaign that for months has pushed the false rumor that Democrat Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim.
Bloomberg is speaking to members of a Jewish group in Boca Raton, Fla. He's warning them that the attempt to portray Obama as a shadowy Muslim with a hidden agenda often targets Jewish voters online and with e-mails.
The mayor says the deceptive campaign against Obama, who is a Christian, threatens to undo the strides that Jews and Muslims have made together.
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Rise and Fall of Karl Rove
listen to this, especially about the author's take on john kerry
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And the Telecom Companies are spared that they spied on Americans. What is up with these damn democrats in charge? sigh, read it all here.
In fact, our great President George W. Bush had the gall to state the following:
"I, unfortunately, have been to too many disasters as president," Bush said after a briefing on the flooding.
Can we all agree that the only disaster has been George W. Bush, himself!!!!
But Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) stated the following on Bush:
"President Bush has asserted that investing in America's needs is somehow 'wasteful' and his budget, which does not add one thin dime for a boost in levee funding, reflects this sentiment," Byrd said.
One word, "AMEN". And I don't think anyone will disagree. After Katrina, Bush STILL did not get it or understand the strain of the infrastructure in this country.
The rising Mississippi River broke through a levee Tuesday, forcing authorities to rescue about a half-dozen people by helicopter, boat and four-wheeler as floodwaters moved south into Illinois and Missouri.
But even as the water jeopardized scores of additional homes and businesses, officials said the damage could have been worse if the federal government had not taken steps to clear flood-prone land after historic floods in 1993.
George W. Bush has been an absent president during these DISASTERS, as he was an absent president when the bridge in Minneapolis, MN just collapsed in the middle of the day.
The cries of federal help from states on infrastructure has gone in one ear and out the other from this president and this administration. But boy, bring a bill for Iraq and need more money, they are ready to sign that bill in a hot second. Bring this administration a bill for maintenance and infrastructure needed in these states and they are told the MONEY IS CUT.
Coralville, Iowa just floating away. But our government is too busy with money in IRAQ but not enough for the good folks of Iowa.
Crops are destroyed. Get ready for record food prices coming to a grocery store, near YOU.
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The battleground states, per pocketnines (AKA, Sean at 538)
And the GOP tries to criticize Obama on terrorism? Here is Obama's response:
"These are the same guys who helped to engineer the distraction of the war in Iraq at a time when we could have pinned down the people who actually committed 9/11," the presumed nominee told reporters aboard his campaign plane. "This is the same kind of fear-mongering that got us into Iraq ... and it's exactly that failed foreign policy I want to reverse."
And McCain, "flip-flops" on off-shore drilling. This is the McCain who has been going around the country trying to become the best friend of the environmentalists, but now has done an about face and favor drilling in California and OMG, Florida!!!
Governor Crist is all for it, ummm, must want that VP slot. I would be shocked he gets it. Got to past the "vetting test" and that includes "personal vetting", anyway be sure that the "Guvernator Ahnold" of California will not be so ready to jump on that drilling "bandwagon".
The Washington Post wrote that the push by McCain to deep-six the ban as part of the response to raising gasoline prices and let each affected state decide the exploration issue "is sure to annoy two key Republican allies," California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Crist. Both have opposed coastal drilling.
In both states, support for the moratorium has been a given for most politicians (for more on how the issue plays in Florida, see this posting on the Chicago Tribune's Swamp blog).
MSNBC's First Read posting this morning noted the following: "No Republicans in Florida have gotten elected statewide without endorsing the moratorium on off-shore oil drilling, so McCain's decision is going to get its share of criticism even from VP wannabe" Crist.
But the item added that if "Crist tries to rationalize the McCain decision then we'll really find out just how much he wants on the ticket."
Apparently, very much.
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Folks, Gay Marriage is here to stay. At least in California....
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If you missed this new youtube sensation....watch and laugh your "you know what off"...
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And Coming to a Checkout Counter Near You....
and if you missed the Afternoon Break, read it here.
Well, I took a day off yesterday for family matters, but things are moving along some good and some bad.
First, Michelle Obama.
I wrote that the GOP was going to go after her. Well, Fox News has totally disrespected the Obamas twice. First, the fist bump crap and now calling Mrs. Michelle Obama, Barack's Baby Mama???
term used to define an unmarried young woman (but can be a woman of any age) who has had a child. As mentioned before in another definition, most of the time it is used for when it was simply a sexual relationship, compared to ex-wife or girlfriend. Usually this has a negative connotation, a lot of baby mamas are seen as desperate, gold digging, emotionally starved, shady women who had a baby out of spite or to keep a man. Sometimes they may act like this because of missed child support payments, unfulfilled promises by the father, or convenient sex by the father. Either or both may exist in any situation.
Fox News had to backpeddle and state their producer showed poor judgment.
Although Shine doesn't name anyone responsible, the show's producer is Jessica Herzberg. A Fox staffer said that others internally were bothered by describing the potential first lady and very accomplished women — as the senator's "baby mama."
They should be disturbed. Michelle Obama is not Barack Obama's "baby mama". She is his WIFE and MOTHER of his children, period.
I told you this would get bad. Expect worse. Keep your powder dry.
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The Obama Campaign has launched a website, "Fight the Smears", which you can direct anyone with these constant bogus questions about Barack Obama. Also, where you send the campaign information on any smears.
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Another Rush Limbaugh lie, questioning Obama not being a naturalized citizen. Daily Kos provides full view of Barack's birth certificate. Yes, the stupids are out running amuck!!
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this is mark penn, the mastermind of hillary clinton's campaign
Scary, huh? To me, yes, and disgusting. But what is more important is for you to read the GQ article. He is now making the circuit to try to clear, clean his image and name. In this article it is crystal clear of how he wanted to go negative towards Obama, down racial divide, etc. And in the end, HE DID and see where he and Hillary Clinton are sitting at now. A must read.
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Here is Keith's Special Comment on John McCain's statement of bringing the soliders home "not that important".
As proof, Emanuel references Indiana Rep. Brad Ellsworth, another Democrat who hasn't yet endorsed Obama. "Brad's got flooding in his district, his people are flooding," he said. "If you ask Brad what he's doing in November, he'll tell you: he's voting for Barack Obama. If you ask Boren, 'I'm voting for Barack Obama.' I mean, it's what they're doing in November, for those guys, that matters. Not what they're doing today, when they're working on their districts. And they'll support their candidate."
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Wesley Clark on McCain, "national security terms he is largely untested and untried"
Finally, the Iowa Flooding. Cedar Rapids. I worked there for the Obama Campaign before the Iowa Caucuses. I am just floored by the flooding, we worked out of the downtown office and it is unrecognizable. All these places that I know from heart, flooded through. And the big rally in Cedar Rapids on the island? Flooded through. Unbelivable. See it all here.
Pray for all the flooding victims and pray the government will come through, POST HASTE.
Next, Fox News, E.D. Hill and calling the Obama "fist bump" or "dap" a terrorist fist jab. Really, NO KIDDING.
But you see Governor Easley of North Carolina has no problem with "da dap"...
So, I ask you this, "Is Governor Easley a terrorist?" Yes, it is coming down to the stupids.
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John and Elizabeth Edwards were in Raleigh, NC today for Obama's speech on the economy and a surprise came from Obama:
"I'm going to be partnering up with Elizabeth Edwards - we're going to be figuring all this out," Obama said when addressing his proposed reform to the health care system.
Former Senator John Edwards endorsed Obama on May 14, but his wife is a different case: remaining neutral in the race since her husband dropped his own presidential bid.
Mrs. Edwards has stated in the past that she supported Senator Hillary Clinton's health care plan because it mandated people to have health insurance – a requirement that Senator Obama's plan does not include.
"I don't think there's two people in the country who have done more to elevate the debate about politics who have focused on critical issues like health care and who have made us all think about our obligations to create one America," Obama said of the couple, remarking that over the 16 month primary process he has gotten to know them well.
I fully see Elizabeth in this role. She is a true advocate for single payer healthcare in this country. If she and Obama can come together for this critical issue, I can do nothing but applaud both.
He has a lot of nerve. Here is a 71, soon to be 72 year old man who is totally clueless on the economy, only cares about winning a victory in Iraq, does not have to worry about $4/plus gas prices and will continue the Bush Mandate.
This election will be about every citizen's economic interest. We will either continue to go down a never-ending hole, or demand change and that is Obama.
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Is Iowa another Katrina? With the levees and dams breaking in Iowa and Wisconsin one can only think, what else will fall apart in this country's infrastructure?
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Obama on the Economy with CNBC
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Scott McClellan, former Bush Administration Press Secretary and author of a scathing all book about this administration "What Happened", is going to the Hill to testify in front of the Congressional Judiciary Committee. Folks, if this man tells the truth, which I think he will, expect some bombshells to come out of his mouth. And expect the White House to attempt him from testifying.
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A shoutout to my favorite pollster, poblano a.k.a. Nate Silver, is profiled in the latest Newsweek. If you have not checked out is website, please look to the left of this blog, he lives at fivethirtyeight.com. His predictions have put the professional pollsters to shame.
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Obama VP Committee on the Hill in closed door meeting with members of congress about, guess what? Promising VP PICKS!!!!
Another note, new polling suggests a mixed bag with Hillary Clinton on the ticket with Barack Obama. Always remember, she is beloved with the Democratic base, outside of that base, NOT SO MUCH.
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And John McCain on the economy and going after the "Hillary Democrats", the women. I know the emotions are raw, but once women know McCain's position on the woman's right to choose, equal pay, Iraq War, Headstart for our Children, many will stand with Obama in the end.
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had to add this smoking video by Jill Scott and George Benson singing "Summertime"....priceless
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